Thursday, July 29, 2004
NAMM: Moog Modular 2
A free update for users of Arturia's authentic Moog Modular soft synth, Version 2 will offer a number of new modules, including a 1630 Bode Frequency Shifter, a formant filter (obviously not part of the original Moog!) and Arutria's own Ring Modulator. With 200 new presets, Version 2 will offer Moog fans more than just a great recreation, but some new possibilities as well.
- Kelly
Posted at 10:28 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Need some help?
Looking for some help with Cubase, Sonar, Reason, Sibelius or Band in a Box? Or any other music software? You can now take an on-line course to help you become a music tech master! Just like a regular class, you will have an instructor, classmates, assignments, and projects. Unlike a regular class, these resources will be available 24x7.
Check out the details at MusicTechHelp.com or suggest a course!
- Kelly
Posted at 9:43 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
The UA-3FX, Napster and DRM.
A while back we reported that the UA-3FX has a "loop back" feature that allows you to digitally capture any audio stream played through your computer. Apparently, this has been a handy way for Napster users (who pay $20 a month for unlimited tracsk) to defeat the DRM (Digital Rights Management) built into the system. Napster adds DRM to the WMA files downloaded to ensure that you can only listen to the tracks you have while you pay the $20 a month for the service. Soon as you stop paying, the files stop playing. According to reports, some Napster users are using soundcards like the UA-3FX to defeat the DRM by using the loop back feature to record their music to un-protected WMA files. Although this has always been possible by using an analogue connection from your soundcard to your computer, this new "all digital" method is causing some concern.
My thoughts? My opinions on compressed music files are well known - $20 a month and the hassle of recording everything again isn't worth it for 128kbs compressed files. Give me full, uncompressed wave files, and maybe I'll think about it!
- Kelly
Posted at 10:01 AM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Thursday, July 15, 2004
M-Audio Goes 64 bit
Trying to get a jump on their competition, M-Audio has released 64 bit drivers for their Delta and Firewire soundcards. Dubbed "Audio64" the drivers are in beta and are developed AMD's Opteron processor. Of course to use the drivers you have to have Windows XP 64 bit edition (which isn't shipping yet) or the next version of Windows - Longhorn - which won't be available until 2005 or 2006. Still, it is great to see companies taking a pro-active rather then reactive approach to upcoming changes to the operating system.
- Kelly
Posted at 1:00 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Monday, July 12, 2004
Edirol's New "Swiss Army Knife" USB Interface
Announced ahead of next week's Summer NAMM, Edirol's new UA-25 USB Audio Interface is Powered by the USB port with a built-in limiter, two pre-amps, phantom power, balanced input and outputs, digital I/O, MIDI I/O, Hi-Z, low latency drivers and Direct Monitoring. Housed in a sturdy metal case, the UA-25 will include a loop back feature for maintaining a completely unaltered digital domain audio file routed to recording software. Expect the UA-25 to be available in the near future for under $300 US.
- Kelly
Posted at 9:21 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Thursday, July 08, 2004
What you need for Computer Music
From the folks at "Computer Music" Magazine in the UK comes a handy guide to the software and hardware you will need to get started with Computer Music.
While you are there, check out their forums, and maybe even consider subscribing. Although expensive, it is a great magazine.
- Kelly
Posted at 9:54 AM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Monday, July 05, 2004
Tablet PC's in Music Education
I've had the opportunity to work with a Tablet PC for the past little while and have been really impressed by the possiblities this new form factor presents!
For example, in music education, the traditional requirement of sitting in front of a display and keyboard necessitates a change from the natural interactions in teaching and music making. Music teachers don't usually teach sitting from a desk, nor do students learn at a desk. The form factor of a Tablet PC allows it to take the place of a score, sheet music or a notebook without being intrusive or requiring the user to move to a computer. As a result, technology becomes less intrusive, which can also help a Tablet become less intimidating than a regular computer.
- Kelly
Posted at 8:44 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Cubase System 4 Price Drop
To Celebrate their 20th Anniversary, Steinberg has dropped the price on the Cubase System | 4. Cubase System | 4 is includes Cubase SL and the MI4 4-in/4-out 24-bit/96kHz USB Audio/MIDI interface, for a complete solution for your workstation. System | 4 offers the convenience of integrating control of the sound card directly into the software, so they will work seamlessly together. As Cubase SL and the MI4 is a special bundle, no dongle is required for Cubase.
- Kristin
Posted at 10:40 AM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::